Making A Difference Through Wish Upon a Wedding: Kheesa & Anthony’s Vow Renewal

Kheesa and Anthony in front of The Historic Magnolia House, photographed by Lauren Depuy Photography.

The moment I saw a post asking for a Triad wedding planner who could do a Wish Upon a Wedding event, I hopped into the post thread without thinking twice.

If you have not heard of it before, Wish Upon a Wedding donates weddings and vow renewals to couples where one or both partners are suffering from a terminal or severe, life-altering illness.

This couple, Kheesa and Anthony, are struggling through Kheesa’s severe case of systemic scleroderma. Systemic scleroderma is a condition which thickens tissues in the body. This creates some unusual and very painful symptoms, like losing padding in the bottom of the feet, to hair loss, to full-body muscular pain. Systemic scleroderma can be terminal for the unlucky few who suffer from this illness, as scar tissue can form in the heart, lungs, and throat. In Kheesa’s case, it has impacted her lungs and throat, and has made her extremely sensitive to the cold. In her world, being at a 4/10 on the pain scale is a good day.

When I found this opportunity, I knew I needed to take it. I needed to help make a spot of light on a hard time.

1. Finding Purpose in Creating Joy

A wedding program, photographed by Lauren Depuy Photography.

When I was selected to be their wedding planner, I was -to put it mildly- thrilled.

I’ve been reflecting on my reaction.

Maybe it’s because I’ve struggled so much in so many different ways throughout my own life. Maybe it's because I understand how impactful a single, joy-filled day can be in someone’s life. From dealing with my sister’s cancer diagnosis at 12 to facing personal challenges throughout my life, I’ve been through my own share of pain.  

Whatever it is, I feel grateful to have experienced this pain. It taught me just how much one good day can mean in someone’s life. It taught me how much a little kindness can truly go. I don’t need to understand exactly how they feel or hurt to know how much this one thing- this one event- can mean in their lives.

Today, I’m focused on the one thing that truly matters to me: creating joy.

Planning weddings lets me do that by giving couples an experience that celebrates their love and story in ways they’ll remember forever. It’s my mission, and it’s what drives me every day.

2. A Love Story Through Resilience: Meeting Kheesa and Anthony

Kheesa and Anthony. Photographed by Lauren Depuy Photography.

When I met Kheesa and Anthony, I was struck by their warmth, kindness, and strength. Despite her pain, Kheesa’s smile lit up the room, and her enthusiasm for life and her family was beautiful.

She told me how her family would dress up as cows to go to Chick-fil-A for Cow Appreciation Day, hitting up every Chick-fil-A in town.

She told me about their family’s love of games and how much they missed going to Friendly’s for a sundae (they used to live in New Jersey, where the Friendly’s chain is common).

She told me about their love story:

They told me stories that reflected their joy: their love of dressing up for Cow Appreciation Day at Chick-fil-A, the family game nights they cherish, and their deep bond forged at a Friendly’s in New Jersey where they first met as teens. Though life led them on separate paths for a while, they found each other again years later and rekindled their love. Now, after ten years of marriage, Anthony’s steadfast support has been a lifeline as they face Kheesa’s battle with scleroderma.

Content Creator: Highlight Reel by BTS with Bonfante.

Their resilience, humor, and joy reminded me of something my friend Ruth (92 years old, former Miss Universe style coach, badass lady) once told me: “It's the people who laugh the most, who smile the most, who experience the greatest joy, that have been through hell."

I think pain has the potential to deepen connection, love, and eventually joy. Seeing them in their happiness brought this point home to me. I felt so honored to bring their event to life.

3. Planning a Joyful Wedding: Fun, Love, and… Naming all 46 US Presidents??

Video by Martin Wedding Films. Officiated by Michelle Coburn from Personal Weddings of NC. See bottom of this blog for full list of vendors.

Planning this event meant gathering a team of talented vendors, all donating their time and resources to make this day unforgettable. The outpouring of love I experienced from North Carolina’s wedding community was incredible. Vendors—from photographers to florists, a party robot, and a live painter—all volunteered, showing just how strong and supportive this industry can be.

North Carolina is filled with so much love.

I had 18 photographers volunteer to be a part of Kheesa and Anthony’s vow renewal. And that’s not all: vendors who volunteered ranged from decorators, florists, makeup artists, painters, a party robot (shoutout: Dakota Fox Entertainment!), and so much more.

The outpouring of love I saw was truly beautiful. Unforgettable. This is an industry built on love, in a place filled with selflessness.

For example, on rehearsal day, I was rewarded by Kheesa and Anthony’s daughter (7 years old) coming up to me, hugging me, and saying, “Thank you for helping my mom and dad.”

I melted.

It made it all the sweeter that the day-of was perfect. On a clear, 75 °F day in October, we celebrated with every detail tailored to their personalities.

Every place setting was unique, by PG Rentals. Photographed by Lauren Depuy Photography.

The event felt alive and full of personality. The very talented Upstate Strings Trio performed inside the House during cocktail hour. Dolce Art Studios (who I wrote about here) painted a portrait of the family during the event. At the end of the night, they had a party robot arrive (Dakota Fox Entertainment) who danced with the guests and participated in the sparkler exit. The couple added to it by incorporating individualized guest gifts, Friendly’s ice cream cups, and four unique wedding games.

One of my favorite moments happened during the game, “Guess Who?” The premise of the game was that guests had to submit fun facts about themselves when they RSVP’d. I assembled these fun facts and chose my top 10 favorites. I read them aloud to Kheesa and Anthony, and they had to guess which guest it was about.

One of the guests wrote in, “I can name all 46 US presidents in a row in under a minute.” Queue the crowd going wild: “Challenge! Challenge!” So I handed her the mic, and she went OFF! We were all captivated and laughing.

As a planner, my job is to bring joy and alleviate stress, allowing couples to enjoy the day they’ve dreamed of. Seeing Kheesa and Anthony surrounded by friends and family, laughing, smiling, and creating memories—it reminded me why I do what I do.

4. Planning a Joyful Wedding: Meaning in Every Detail

Cake design by Artsy Cakesy. Photographed by Lauren Depuy Photography.

I tailored their wedding vibe and theme to fit their personalities. For the design, I took their favorite colors, blue and purple, and the teal ribbon for scleroderma awareness. Inspired by the warm colors of autumn, I chose gold instead of silver, adding a touch of warmth and contrast to the otherwise cool palette. To me, the palette was unique while representing the transition from warmth to cooler times, capturing the depth and length of their journey together.

To Kheesa and Anthony, it was important that the palette was vibrant and bold: it showcased their personalities and their own histories.

The venue, The Historic Magnolia House, exemplified that: their playful yet thoughtful use of color and design throughout the rooms has a rich history. The House is filled with echoes from the past: famous black Americans who found safe shelter at the Historic Magnolia House, a Green Book Hotel, during Jim Crow laws. The rooms are each richly colorful and speak to this history and the amazing people who stayed there.

When thinking about the colors and design of the event, I wanted to stay true to the vibrancy and boldness of this beautiful venue as well as the couple.

That is why when PG Rentals volunteered their vintage, antique rentals for the event, I was delighted.

Although none of the antique plates matched, they were all cohesive. Each person held a genuine 100-year-old plate with a unique, elaborate design while they stood in line for the delicious spread The Historic Magnolia cooked up. People talked about their plates and compared them to each other’s. It was gorgeous, unique, and fun.

One of the tables, using PG Rentals and Natalie J Couture Events’ floristry. Photographed by Lauren Depuy Photography.

One of the sweetest moments happened during the ceremony. Instead of a traditional sand-pouring unity ritual (where only the bride & groom pour sand into an hourglass or glass box), Kheesa & Anthony included their two daughters, Jamie & Jordan.

The officiant, Michelle Coburn from Personal Weddings of NC, thought to include Kheesa and Anthony’s daughters, Jamie and Jordan. She asked Jamie and Jordan if they bless this union between Kheesa and Anthony, and they said, “We do!” Then they were asked to come up and participate in the sand pouring ritual. We had 4 colors of sand for this ritual: purple, teal, white, and gold. It was a sweet touch to the ceremony that I know they and their daughters will remember for the rest of their lives.

I think one of the things that really made the event stand out was the party robot (Dakota Fox Entertainment). Dakota’s arrival in her party robot & stilts outfit caused a squeal from Jordan and a cheer from the guests. Her suit had a little screen on the chest that flashed text “Kheesa & Anthony” and “Wish Wedding.” She participated in the sparkler exit at the end, creating one of the most unique photos I’ve  ever seen of an exit.

Party robot by Dakota Fox Entertainment. Photobooth design by K.S.Otter Events (us!).

Testimonial:

“My husband and I were granted a dream wedding from Wish Upon a Wedding. Katie, from K.S. Otter Events was our wedding planner. She did an extraordinary job. Our wedding day was like a fairytale. She is innovative, and incorporated things I hadn't even thought of. Yet, she took time to listen to what we wanted too. Katie has a database of wedding vendors who she collaborated with to make our day special. Not only was it well organized, it was beautifully decorated, the food was good, music was just right, and everyone had a good time.”

-Kheesa & Anthony Jones

5. Where I want to take this next

A portrait of Kheesa, looking stunning. See a list of her amazing vendors that donated their time to create her look at the bottom of this post! Photo by Lauren Depuy Photography.

After the resounding success of the event, I have decided to add it to my business’ mission. As a sustainable wedding planner, I think it’s not only important to be eco-friendly, but to sustainably care for life as a whole. To me, being sustainable is not just about caring for Earth, but also for its people.

I am a big believer in People over Profit, and Community over Competition. My business, like me, is built on strong social values and deeply rooted moral beliefs. Our core values are not just about being good stewards of the land, but on being good to good people, regardless of their age, race, sexual orientation, gender identity, nationality, or ethnicity.

To make this unequivocally true for my business, I’ve decided that if the opportunity arises, I will take on at least one Wish Upon A Wedding event each year.

In fact, I have already volunteered to plan a fundraiser (The Vendor Games! Buy tickets here) for Wish Upon a Wedding on January 30th, 2025 with the help of another planner who also believes in these core values.

6. Final thoughts:

If you’re looking for a wedding planner who truly listens and strives to make your planning experience easy and joyful, reach out to me. Let's make your day unforgettable, together.

I bring not just experience, but empathy, resilience, and a dedication to making every wedding as unique as you are. If you’re looking for a planner who will support you every step of the way, I’m here for you.

With love,

Katie Sautter

My opinions, experiences, and writings are my own. I do not speak for or represent Wish Upon a Wedding.

7. The amazing vendors who donated their time & services to Kheesa & Anthony’s Wish Upon a Wedding vow renewal:

Wish Upon a Wedding: @wishuponawedding

Lead planner: @ksotterevents

Assistant planner: @cannoneventsplanning

Venue: @thehistoricmagnolia

DJ: @vinylly.wed

Florist: @nataliejcoutureevents

Makeup Artist: @deannaocampomua

Cake baker: @artsycakesy

Officiant: @michelle.personalweddingsnc

Photography: @lauren_depuy_photography

Rentals: @pgrentalsnc

Videography: @martinweddingfilms

Live Wedding Painter: @dolceart64

Bartending: @nc_mcbarco

Decorator: @memories_made_with_blashea

Party Robot: @dakotafoxentertainment

Stationer: @melodycreekstationery

Content Creator: @btswithbonfante

Musicians: @upstatestringstrio

Dress: @lilymaebridal

Seamstress: The Sewing Kit by Tiffany Robins

Custom Wedding Jewelry: @gold_leaf_designs

Hair Stylist: The Color Cafe